Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ vs Shure SM7B
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ vs Shure SM7B compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.
The Ruling
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ or Shure SM7B? Get the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+, narrowly.
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ wins Low-End Reach — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $250.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ | Shure SM7B |
|---|---|---|
| Low-End Reach | 10/10 | 7.7/10 |
| High-End Reach | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Value | 10/10 | 3.7/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+
USB condenser microphone with clear top-end detail and direct monitor capability for spoken-word content.
On paper the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ takes frequency response (20Hz-20kHz). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. It is the cheaper of the two, by $250.00.
Leads on
-
Frequency Response20Hz-20kHz50Hz-20kHz
Wider frequency response captures more of the audible spectrum, from deep bass to airy highs.
Shure SM7B
Broadcast-standard dynamic XLR microphone known for smooth voice pickup and excellent background rejection.
It gives up frequency response to the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+. That costs $250.00 more than the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
Where they’re identical
One spec is the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Polar Pattern Cardioid
The Record
9 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ and Shure SM7B?
The largest gap is frequency response, where the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ leads — 20Hz-20kHz against 50Hz-20kHz. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 1 spec. They match on 1 spec, including polar pattern. Two microphones from Audio-Technica and Shure, each taking a different approach to sound character and pickup pattern.
Which is better for streaming, Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ or Shure SM7B?
Get the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+, narrowly. The Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ wins Low-End Reach — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $250.
Is the Shure SM7B worth the extra $250 over the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+?
The Shure SM7B costs $399.00 against $149.00, a difference of $250. On the catalog's specifications it does not lead the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ anywhere, so the premium buys brand, build or something the catalog does not record. Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.